Branches of Government word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

Branches of Government word search, scramble and crossword puzzle

I made this branches of government puzzle set for my 4th graders during our civics unit. The kids could name the president but had no idea what the legislative or judicial branches did or why we have three branches in the first place. So I put together a word search, a word scramble, and a crossword using words like executive, legislative, judicial, president, Congress, Senate, House of Representatives, Supreme Court, justice, law, veto, override, interpret, checks and balances, and Constitution. Nothing fancy — just puzzles to help the three branches finally stick.

The PDF is four pages. Three puzzles plus one answer key page. The word search works well for quiet time after recess. The scramble gets them talking because they argue about which branch makes laws. The crossword I use for partners. I added a couple simple triangle diagram and building drawings but nothing too busy.

Works for 4th through 5th grade. Print and go. Sometimes I have early finishers write the job of each branch on the back. The kids actually ask for these now.